2: Fair and Square
Chapter 2 of 47
Fawkes_07The first Occlumency lesson, and the first payback. To quote Wallace of "Wallace and Gromit" fame, "That went as well as could be expected, didn?t it?"
ReviewedHermione arrived precisely on time for the first lesson as he expected. No one would possibly accept that she needed Remedial Potions, so she had deliberately misbehaved in class, and he had issued a detention. She'd been mortified by the idea, but could not come up with a better plan.
"Good evening, Miss Granger. Lock the door."
"Yes, sir."
He took his seat behind his desk and gave her a hard glare. "Henceforth, I would prefer if you did not earn your detentions by hexing Mr. Malfoy."
She gulped with a guilty look. "Yes, sir."
"Now, to the matter at hand. I assume Potter has told you all about the abuse to which he is subjected by my hand?"
She peered at him curiously. "He's been rather unwilling to say anything at all about his lessons, actually."
"Really?" he said cynically, raising his brow. "I shall soon find out if you are telling me the truth." He paused as he picked up his wand, suspecting that she might change her story, but she said nothing. "Very well. The lesson is straightforward. I will enter your mind with Legilimency. You will attempt to stop me. We will repeat this until you develop the skill. Prepare yourself." He raised his wand.
"Wait!" she said, her eyes wide and fearful. "I have some questions first!"
"I will have your answers within seconds. Legilimens!"
Her mind was as far removed from Potter's as he could ever hope to encounter. There was no fog of rage and defiance, no clutter of remembered pain and humiliation. It was orderly and structured, with pure, clean focus. There were fears and angers, of course, but they were properly tucked away in far corners where they would not constantly surface and interfere. Her thoughts flowed smoothly, logically; he could dive into their current and be swept along effortlessly.
She also had no resistance whatsoever to his presence. This was going to take some time.
Snape released her and sat back in his chair, ignoring her stunned expression. "First of all, I can offer no explanation of what you must do. Performing Occlumency is similar to resisting the Imperius curse; you might prepare yourself by practicing that skill in Defense Against the Dark Arts."
She composed herself enough to mutter angrily, "I'll be sure to suggest that to Professor Umbridge."
Even Snape couldn't hold in a wry grin at that comment. He despised Umbridge; she was so incompetent, she could barely find her own arse with both hands. "I'm sure that would be well received. Next question: I have permitted you to keep your wand for symbolic purposes. Most people require it at first; it has become a crutch on which they must lean to perform magic. You must eventually learn to repel me with your mind, but the wand will serve as a step toward that end."
"As for your third question, it will be both painful and frightening, but you have probably recognized that already. Prepare to defend yourself." He raised his wand again.
"WAIT!" she said emphatically. "I have a... request."
He scowled impatiently. "What is it now, Granger?"
She fixed his gaze and said firmly, "I want you to stay out of my dreams."
He smirked. "You do realize you have just assured that your dreams will be the first place I explore?"
She shook her head savagely. "No! Don't take this lightly. I need your promise, Professor, that you'll leave my dreams alone. I can't do this if you won't agree."
He regarded her contemptuously. "Threatening to stop these lessons will hardly motivate me to give you my word, Granger."
She considered for a moment, then said quietly, "I hope you'll give your word because you're an honorable man."
She definitely knew how to play the game. The worst part was that she meant every word. He leaned back in his chair, clasping his fingers in his lap and scrutinizing her carefully as he pondered his decision.
"Very well, Miss Granger," he said resignedly. "No dreams. For now. If you cannot parry me, however, I may need to take more drastic measures to motivate your efforts."
She shuddered. "If it comes to that, then I'll accept failure. I'm ready; let's give it a go."
Snape couldn't believe it when he glanced at the clock; it was nearly midnight. "Good grief!" he said sharply. "You are dismissed."
Hermione followed his gaze quizzically and was equally startled. "Oh, my! I'm sorry, Professor, I guess I lost track of time. Well. Thank you, sir. Shall I just stay and read to you?" she asked in a matter-of-fact tone.
He gritted his teeth, unsure of what to say. What kind of man would bring a child into his room to read stories? It was absurd--what had he been thinking when he had made this bargain? Even if she were able to master Occlumency (and that was by no means a certainty), she might not be able to drive it into Potter's thick skull any faster than he could. "That will not be necessary, Miss Granger," he said drily.
She frowned. "What do you mean? We had an agreement! Are you not going to teach me anymore?! We won't go over an hour again, I'll make sure of it--"
"I'll teach you!" he snapped loudly to put an end to her plea. "I just...release you from your repayment."
"Release me?" she said, her uncertainty quickly escalating into affront. "I don't want to be 'released!' You're not going to..."
"To what, Miss Granger?" he said, leaning across the desk to glare at her through narrowed eyes.
"To, that is, what I meant... I don't want you to give me these lessons for nothing. An even trade, that was what we agreed. I don't want to... owe you anything once we're done."
He looked up at the ceiling, trying very hard to keep his face neutral. "An excellent insight, young lady." He fixed her with a stern gaze. "Very well, we can come up with another method of payment--"
"Oh, no, you don't!" she said indignantly. "You were quite clear there was nothing else you wanted from me. I'm not going to accept some token duty that will in reality leave me obligated to you--especially not now, after I've taken up your entire evening. I said I would read, I prepared myself, I even brought a book." She pulled it out of her robes and tossed it before him on the desk.
"How dare you address me that way--" he began, livid, but she spoke over him in a strong, cold voice.
"In this room, right now, we are two members of the Order. That was how this arrangement was made. Don't demean me by playing the 'professor' card, I wont have it."
Snape leaned back in his chair again and ran a finger over his lips thoughtfully before rapping his knuckles on the desk. "You walk a very narrow line, Hermione Granger," he finally said. "Before you demand that I treat you as a peer, you might consider precisely what that might entail."
She blanched slightly under the weight of that comment. "I gave my word and accepted yours as equals. I'm prepared to face whatever consequence that brings. Are you?"
Mother of Merlin, she could play the game! She used truth and honor like a scalpel. A worthy opponent was a rare delight; most people who entered a battle of wits with Severus Snape found themselves hopelessly outgunned. He nodded deliberately, then pushed her book back across the desk and brought himself to his feet.
"Remain here for ten minutes. I will leave the door to my private chamber ajar. It will be very dark; do not even consider snooping around. You will find a chair by the hearth. When I--" he paused, then put one hand dramatically over his chest and gestured toward her with the other--"when you feel you have fulfilled your evening's obligation, there is Floo powder out here on the mantel, for your return to the Gryffindor common room."
"Ten minutes, then," was her even reply.
The bravado lasted until his chamber door clicked shut, then his hand flew to his brow. Damn it! He'd told himself not to go through with this, but against all logic, here he was. He never allowed students beyond that door! This was his sanctuary, buried deep in the stone foundation of the castle, secure from prying eyes and spells. Few people even knew how to find it! Oh, she was a player, all right, arguing her way into this room...
Snape had never undressed so quickly in his life. He banked the fire very low and drew all the curtains tightly around his bed. He started to set out the lamp, but changed his mind--let her use her wand to illuminate the book. He nearly climbed into bed without cracking the door; that would have been nothing short of a catastrophe. She would not have given up, he was sure of it, but he would not open the door while wearing nothing but his linen nightshirt, no matter how violently she pounded on it.
It seemed like an hour had passed before the door closed with a small click. He listened to her quiet footsteps across the stone floor, the rustle of her robes as she settled into the chair. Her voice, softly, "Lumos," then it became firm and even as she began.
"Grandfather said: This is the kind of a man Boon Hogganbeck was. Hung on the wall, it could have been his epitaph, like a Bertillon chart or a police poster; any cop in north Mississippi would have arrested him out of any crowd after merely reading the date..."
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Latest 25 Reviews for Fair Exchanges
909 Reviews | 6.76/10 Average
I've warned you that i will continue to harrass you about finishing this story until my dying day. And i always keep my word. Hope you are still around, that all is well for you, and that this story remains on your eternal to do list.
Response from Fawkes_07 (Author of Fair Exchanges)
Sigh. It is. It really is. I need a time machine.
Hello again! I don't know if you are even still around, but reading the rest of this story is on my bucket list, so while I still have breath in me, I shall continue to nudge you toward writing. Hope all is well with you and yours.
SPOILER Warning******In case someone has gone this many years without getting through the last book in the series****************************I hope this new turn in their relationship keeps her from wishing she could just hold hands with someone and walk around the lake. She's had a man now. I can't imagine, at least I hope she doesn't go back to boys. What are you going to do about the Ron thing? She can't go with Ron now. It would would be too mean to Severus! I hope she understands when Albus is killed. Poor Severus! There. Again I'm saying it! I don't mind his sacrifices if I know he will be rewarded with the love he deserves for what he has had to pay to rid the world of Tom Riddle. I hope you work this out so that he doesn't suffer at the end and you'd better not kill him off like the witch who kills small beloved pets like owls, and sweet dear magical creatures like house elves protecting their loved one, cruelly rends twins assunder with one on this side alone without his other half and the other one on the opposite side of the vale tellikng jokes without punch lines! Please tell me you will not follow that part of cannon. You are already forcing Severus to do things I don't know if Hermione can forgive him for. She must forgive him though.When are you going to work on this story some more? Do you know? Are you planing to finish this story or did the last cannon book kill your joy when she killed off our Potions Master in an incredibly un-Severus Snap like end. ....As if the Potions Master of all masters wouldn't have antivenin.
Response from Fawkes_07 (Author of Fair Exchanges)
You know, it's funny... DH actually kind of DID kill off a lot of my motivation to keep writing fanfic, even though I never really thought of it that way until just now. I wrote my own Book 7 for my kids--HP and the Heirs of Slytherin, it's here on TPP--starting in about 2006, just because I KNEW JKR was going to blow it. I just knew I wouldn't like her book 7. A lot of these fics kind of spun off during the process of writing HoS, including Fair Exchanges. HoS has a lot of legilimency/occlumency in it, and Hermione asks Harry not to look at her dreams. That sparked this story... Anyway, once I finished HoS, I kinda moved on to other projects and my unfinished fics have been sort of waiting on the vine for me. I know how they all end, and some of them are just a few chapters from complete. But part of the trouble with Fair Exchanges is that I hate DH so much I have no desire to read it carefully enough to make Fair Ex canon-compliant. It can't even be HoS compliant, because my alt. universe has even more trouble ahead for Snape. If it's any comfort, though, the last two chapters of this story were written LONG ago, and it wraps up the story in a way I really liked. I posted them on some other ff sites, if you want to go hunting for them. I kept them off TPP, though, because I wanted to post the whole thing properly here.
She is being a normal girl, unfortunately for Severus. Severus Snape requires a remarkable woman. Strong, forgiving, able to make her own happiness most of the time and able to consistantly see past the Death Eater Double Spy. He needssomeone who wants him especially because he isn't like any other man on earth. And he needs someone older than Hermione. I would be thinking just exactly what she is thinking. He is looking for a life time commitment. She just isn't there yet. I don't se how this can end well for either of them unless you figure out a way to turn cannon around soon. I hate the way things turned out in the cannon. She ruined everything! I can't stand it. I hope you can salvage this back story so that it comes out much better than the original. Severus deserves better. I hate feeling sorry for Snape, damn it! I want him to show them all. I want him to end up with the best end of any stick.
Poor Severus. I wish she'd run off to Polynesia with him. I hope she's worth it in the end. She has no real idea what he faces here. They are living in the moment when they see each other. He knows more about her than she knows about him. There is so much more to him than there is to Hermione at this point in her life. How old is she, 15 or 16? Well, at least he can have someone pure. I hope she never asks about his other lovers. I don't think she is ready for the answer. I'm not sure I'd be ready for the Centaura. And we know that in his youth he willingly committed rape in this story, though he reqrets it now. I don't know that Hermione could really handle that knowledge. She might be able to handle the idea that he had possibly been forced to do it, but not with certainty that he had ever willingly done it. He's so screwed is she ever finds out all the things he has to do, unless she is a very unusual individual and not very judgemental. I hope for his sake she is as remarkable as he thinks she is.
Hello! I think Draco just passed out! What do you do with this lie. How to explain that 2 men who appeared to absolutely despise one another were lovers on the low down. Would Draco even fall for that? I don't think he has been present at the OP meetings to observed the apparent mutual hatred. Draco doesn't know how much the murrauders stalked and abused poor Severus. Maybe he'll fall fore it. Poor boy wil be manipulated by the Uncle he trustes. That must taste like shit to Severus.
And Hermione can't know about Draco! She would not understand.
Severus Snape is the most adept spie of all the world if he pulls this off. He must feel like he can never get clean from lying regulary to those few who trust him, beastiality, cheeting on his overly homornal girlfriend that he shouldn't be with, but amazingly they actually love each other and trust each other. Now, add buggery in order to manipulate his godson. He must keep Hermione and Draco apart. And what would the dark lord or Albus Dumblebutt have to say about all of this distasteful activity. Dude, when this is all over you are going to need some serious counceling!
OK. What should he do now? I say, let the twirp kiss you so that you can get on his good side and find out his secrets. Hey! It's a dog eat dog world out there right now. Just hope that Hermione doens't find out you cheated on her with 4 Centaras and her worst enemy at the school and all in the same week. It's a fine edge you tread, poor Severus. I actually feel sorry for you.
Lucky in many ways it seems, our Severus. The Dark Lord needed a laugh. Oooooo, let a name slip in there that starts with an H. So who actually rescued the toad in the forest after all? Make up any answer you like. I had assumed it was Albus. But why he would bother is beyond me. Does Severus have to go back to fetch her?
So! Our dear potions master is hung like a stallion! Well of couse he is! Those naughty girls. It's a good thing Hermione doesn't know. And, isn't he terrified of being caught in the act by the stallions while making love to the mares? I'm sure they would kill him. I'm glad he gets some small reward for his hard work protecting Harry. It really is too bad they didn't kill Umbridge. I know Jkr needs her later in the story. I hope she has permanent damage though.
There's no way that will happen under these circumstances. I don't believe it. Girls need a mood or something to get then started.
Don't worry Hermione, dear. After you've been married for more than 3 decades you actually will grow together down there from lack of use. You see, the little man is victim to depression, high blood pressure, diabetes and sundry medications for said infirmities, but eventually this will only spark a sense of resigned bitterness. Dreams though few and far between will be a welcomed relief. So cry no more dear girl and by the gods grab him while you can! Perhaps in your world magic will make these things not so. If that is the case, get over it you silly girl. He must truly be desperate to put up with this. You all must be. I was quite emotional the first 20 years. It was dreadful! Now I am resigned to the fact that what ever you were fighting about the first 2 years are the same things you will be fighting about in 10 years until eventually you just look at him and shake your head. Put up with it or try to train a new one. Here is the most important thing you will ever know. They cannot be trained. Don't waste your time.
I love, "like a raisin through a guinea pig"! I take it you speak from experience based on your picture of Mr. Flibbert, I believe his name was. One of the things that annoyed the hell out of me in the movie version of TGoF was the hormonal Hermione whining and bitching in her high pitched self righteous girl BS. I think she was pissed off just like in this chapter for the entire movie. I realize it is true to life but it is still annoying. I have two drama queens of my own and it doesn't get better when they grow up. I am grateful for grandsons. They are loud and every game requires growling and yelling and running in the house, not to mention accidentally bumping into each other on purpose etc. but I am looking forward to much less drama as when they reach puberty. I look also look forward to Hermione in this story finishing her O.L.W.S. I'm hyper-sensitive from PTSD after raising two daughters.
Here it is 2014 and still no end in sight. Please finish this, it is too good and to frustrating to stop here,
Response from Fawkes_07 (Author of Fair Exchanges)
Sigh... I know. I really would like to finish it someday. Too many projects, not enough time!
You do know that as long as this story sits unfinished, I am going to pop in periodically and bug you, right? Now I am not pressuring you. I know that real life can be a bitch. All I'm saying is that I probably have a good fifty years left in me, and I am going to continue to encourage you until I take my last breath. Oh, but please don't wait that long as I do want to read the end, lol.
Hi Fawkes_07, I have enjoyed this so much! It is of course beautifully written and plotted. I think you've captured all the characters quite well. The sense of humor in this story is wonderful and was a great surprise. Love the interactions between H and Severus, and also between Severus & Draco. I see that it has been some years since you've updated. Please, please don't abandon this story! Happy writing!
Ah, I remember following this story every week. It's a shame RL got in the way and it's gone 3 years-ish without an update. I hope you're doing well and come back to it some day. Thank you for the wonderful half-fic, for what it's worth :)
What the what?? I followed you over from MNFF to see what I'd missed, holy mess!!!! I LOVE this story, it constantly shocks me!!
Response from Fawkes_07 (Author of Fair Exchanges)
LOL, yeah, MNFF had an issue with the human/centaur thing. Glad you're enjoying it... I hope to finish it someday if I ever get my life back.
wow, this story just gets creepier and creepier, in the most interesting and hilarious way possible. this has to be the best story i have ever read on any fanfiction site. u are an awesome writer; i have never laughed this much at a story. i now see why mnff just couldnt bear it, lol, way too many disturbing things. i just got used to the thought of draco being a sex god in other stories, now u make him gay! bwahahaha, talk about a monkeywrench. im sad snape gave that 16-year-old release to the mares. i wished my girl hermione had gotten a piece of that. now that would have been fun to read and write, im sure, hehe. again, u are brilliant!
Response from Fawkes_07 (Author of Fair Exchanges)
<laughs> Wow, glad you're enjoying it! Yeah, MNFF drew the line at the "bestiality" elements (though they don't seem to mind human/werewolf and human/veela). Eh, whatever.Hadn't thought of the 16-year gap ending with the ponies... I guess this is sort of a tragic story, huh?
More Please!?!?!? I so like how this story is going. Love the HG/SS relationship. I so can not wait for more.
Response from Fawkes_07 (Author of Fair Exchanges)
Sigh... I know. I really do intend to finish it, and the funniest stuff is yet to come. You just would not believe the times I've had the past couple years--broken ribs, my mom passed away, a new nonprofit opened in town and begged me to write their grants... I don't even READ fanfic any more, much less write it. But someday things will settle down.
I tried to read this story when I was 16 years of age, back then I could barely read English (not my first language) and I had to consult the dictionary every 3 minutes or so but I do remember little bits of it... This amazing first chapter for example. It's so well written and so true to the characters. It's a pleasure to be able to read it again.
Response from Fawkes_07 (Author of Fair Exchanges)
Wow! That's so cool! I'm glad you liked it well enough to come back to it! Thanks!
Aww, Snape's going to be a father. *snickers*
Response from Fawkes_07 (Author of Fair Exchanges)
Not after he gets that potion ready...
The age of consent in the UK is 16 not to mention the use of the Time-Turner so she's actually almost two years older than her peers. She could've consented before.
Response from Fawkes_07 (Author of Fair Exchanges)
Hmm, I suppose so. But she used the date to such a fine advantage... had to go with it.
You are a wonderful writer, and I always look forward to reading more of your story. This is byfar my favorite Snape/Hermione fanfic ever. I thank you soooo much for updating! I love love love everything about it! Are you though, planning to go canon and kill him off in the end, or will I have to wait and see? You make my week!
Response from Fawkes_07 (Author of Fair Exchanges)
Heh, well, I don't like to give out spoilers but I'll just say I don't consider DH as part of canon. So that may answer your question...
I went back and reread the last chapter to refresh the story in my brain. It has been a damn long time woman! Come back to the potterverse! We miss you. Im all sorts of confused about H's trouble in potions. Whatever could it be?
Response from Fawkes_07 (Author of Fair Exchanges)
Herms was totally upstaged by Harry in potions that year, on account of Harry having the HBP's potion text. She was pretty po'd about that--but she can't tell Snape or that would ruin Harry's surprise. But I think it's funny that she would be in such a good position to blow Harry's scheme out of the water...
ROFLMAO! Oohhhh noooo. Snape, you silly man. I was afraid something like this would happen. Can wizards and centaur breed with each other?! You really do love torturing Snape. It's a fun kind of torture, though.
Response from Fawkes_07 (Author of Fair Exchanges)
*snerk* It IS fun to torture old Sev. Maybe Voldy thinks so too, I dunno.